Are There Any Home Remedies for a Dog With Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an ophthalmological disorder that, fortunately, affects only a small number of dogs (1.7%) across North America. Usually caused by genetic issues, glaucoma can become dangerously painful to your dog as the pressure inside the eye increases and the eye bulges.

Fortunately, your canine's eyesight will be safe as long as you identify the glaucoma symptoms correctly and you seek medical care from a veterinarian. Once the veterinarian prescribes the proper medication for your dog, it's time for you, the dog parent, to assist his eyesight and eye health with a diet specially tailored for ophthalmological issues. Special foods, such as spinach, carrots, and bilberries, contain all the nutrients that shouldn't be absent from any dog with glaucoma's diet!

Today's article will focus on dog glaucoma, from symptoms and predisposed breeds to glaucoma treatment and foods rich with all the vitamins and antioxidants required for 20/20 eyesight!

What is "Dog Glaucoma"?

Glaucoma is an ophthalmological disorder consisting of increased intraocular pressure (IOP). The cause of this increase in IOP is the inadequate drainage of aqueous fluid that keeps the eye in a permanently balanced pressurized state. When a dog suffers from glaucoma, the regular drainage of aqueous fluid is disturbed. Therefore, the additional aqueous fluid increases the IOP, and the eye gradually bulges, causing significant pain to the dog.

Primary and Secondary Dog Glaucoma

Dog glaucoma can manifest itself, depending on genetics, breed, and other circumstances, in either primary or secondary glaucoma:

• Primary glaucoma (inherited): involves an increased IOP from inherent causes, such as genetics and breed, and it translates into an inherited anatomical abnormality in the iridocorneal angle. Primary closed-angle glaucoma (due to goniodysgenesis), Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
• Secondary glaucoma (non-inherited): involves an increased IOP from external causes, such as contracted diseases or eye injuries. Inflammation (uveitis) cataracts, cataract surgery, lens luxation, Retinal detachment, tumors.

What are the Main Glaucoma Causes in Dogs?

Anatomically, the leading causes behind glaucoma in dogs are:

• Lens damage: any damage to the lens can allow lens proteins to leak into the eye and cause an inflammatory reaction, which can lead to a blockage of the iridocorneal angle.
• Lens dislocation: in other instances, eye damage can push the lens forward and block the iridocorneal angle.
• Tumors and uveitis (inflammation of the interior of the eye): the added tissue can block the iridocorneal angle.
• Intraocular bleeding: any bleeding or blood clot in the eye can affect the proper drainage of the aqueous fluid.

Symptoms of Canine Glaucoma

Glaucoma can easily be treated as long as you identify the right symptoms:

• Swelling and building of the eyeball
• Watery discharge emanating from the eye
• Redness of eye vessels
• Lethargy and loss of appetite
• A hazy, cloudy, or 'blue' appearance to the eye
• Redness of the white of the eye
• A dilated pupil that does not constrict when light is shone into the eye
• Signs of pain: sleeping more, a squinting or watering eye, being head shy or tilting the head
• Sudden blindness

Your dog will continuously attempt to relieve the resulting pain by closing and attempting to rub the eye. He will also turn away as you attempt to pet the area surrounding the eye. We urge you to seek professional medical care the second you notice any of these symptoms. The more the IOP increases, the higher glaucoma's chances of causing blindness.

How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

There are several tests your vet will perform to diagnose glaucoma; tests of vision, measurement of the intraocular pressure, detailed examination inside the eye, and a gonioscopy (this last test uses a special type of contact lens to allow them to look inside the eye to identify primary closed-angle glaucoma). Ultrasound scanning of the eye might also be needed if they cannot see into the eye directly.

What Breeds are Predisposed to Glaucoma?

Certain breeds have a documented history of ophthalmological issues. The breeds at the highest risk levels are:

• Yorkies
• Siberian Huskies
• Chihuahuas
• Border Collies
• Shiba Inus
• Boston Terriers
• Basset Hounds
• Border Collies

Glaucoma Treatment in Dogs

Glaucoma treatment is dependent on the severity of glaucoma, including any underlying diseases that may be responsible for the presence of the condition in the first place. Those must be addressed and taken care of to prevent the condition from reappearing. Glaucoma treatment options include:

• Medication: These are given to lower the pressure within the eye and get it back to the normal range as fast as possible with the goal of preserving the dog's vision. Most medications are topical or ointments and may need to be administered up to three times daily. There are also oral medications that can control the pain and discomfort accompanying the condition. In some severe cases, your veterinarian may recommend hospitalizing your dog so that injectable medications (such as mannitol) can be used to lower IOP more quickly.
• Cyclocryotherapy: Cold temperatures kill the cells that produce intraocular fluid. The fluid may be drained and the fluid-producing cells altered to stop fluid buildup within the eye. This procedure can slow down or stop glaucoma from progressing further with early detection.
• Surgery: Unfortunately, the eye will need to be removed in most long-term cases. The longer glaucoma goes undetected, the more of a chance that the optical nerve will be damaged beyond repair, which means surgery and possible removal of the eye. The empty socket can be closed up or the eye cavity filled with an orb to keep the ocular space filled when removing the eye.

Secondary glaucoma can be prevented by keeping your dog safe, doing your best to avoid injuries and accidents, staying on top of health issues, and seeking out glaucoma treatment for any infection, especially eye-related, as soon as possible.

Primary glaucoma, however, is not preventable because it is the result of genetics. But steps can be taken beforehand to slow any degenerative changes to your dog's eyes and reduce their chances of developing glaucoma.

Step #1: See a Veterinarian

Your veterinarian will prescribe both analgesics (for pain relief) and medications to reduce the aqueous fluid production and increase drainage. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide 2%) and beta-adrenergic blocking agents (0.5% timolol) are the foundation of medical treatment for glaucoma. In more severe cases, your dog might have to undergo surgery in order to relieve excessive IOP and avoid the risk of blindness.

Step #2: Enhance Your Canine's Diet With the Proper Nutrients

Once your dog receives a formal glaucoma diagnosis and starts taking medication, you can help his eyes heal faster and stay in shape by adding certain foods and nutrients to his food bowl.

#1: Carrots

The link between carrots and eye health is well-documented. The carrots' high beta-carotene (i.e., the pigment that gives carrots their iconic color) composition helps repair damaged eye cells, support the formation of visual pigments in the retina, and protect the cells lining the eye. Consistent carrot intake will assist your dog in regaining his sharp eyesight!

If you're wondering how to feed carrots to your dog, be sure to process them first and foremost. Add 1 tsp. of processed carrots per 10 lbs. of weight to your dog's food bowl every day.

#2: Spinach

Does your dog turn its nose at the sight of carrots? Spinach is the answer! Its palatability makes spinach a solid beta-carotene addition to your dog's food bowl. Aside from beta-carotene, spinach is rich in iron, a nutrient that promotes healthy blood flow.

The most appropriate serving of spinach (raw, organic spinach) is 1 tsp. per 10 lbs. of weight, several times a week.

#3: Fennel

Another plant with proven eye benefits, fennel fights against glaucoma by reducing the IOP in the eye, preventing inflammation, and relieving pain. Unlike carrots and spinach, you can use fennel both as an ingredient and as eyewash. As an ingredient, add 1 tsp. per 10 lbs. of weight to your dog's food bowl. As eyewash, soak the fennel in water, then squeeze the fennel juice on a clean cloth and wipe your dog's eyes.

#4: Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for healthy eyes and clear eyesight. Although their bodies produce vitamin C on their own, dogs can always benefit from vitamin C supplementation, especially when dealing with glaucoma. Low levels of vitamin C have been linked to vision loss.

Consistent amounts of vitamin C can be found in:

• Alfalfa: Add a pinch of alfalfa per 10 lbs. of weight to your dog's food bowl
• Dandelion: Sprinkle 1 tsp. per 20 lbs. of weight, three times a day, on your dog's food
• Dandelion tea: Boil 8 ounces of water and 1 ounce of dandelion. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs. of weight, three times a day, to your dog. You can also use the dandelion infusion to hydrate Volhard food, such as NDF2!

#5: Magnesium

Magnesium is an invaluable nutrient for proper blood circulation. A diet high in magnesium will relax the eye's blood vessels and allow the blood to continuously flow, thus relieving excessive IOP in the eye. You can ensure a healthy magnesium intake for your dog through:

• Ground hemp seeds: add 2 tsp. per day to your dog’s food bowl
• Chia seeds: soak them in water, then give ¼ tsp. per 10 lbs. of weight to your dog
• Kale
• Dandelion leaves
• Fish: it is essential to rotate a fish in the Volhard diet once per week for proper magnesium intake
• Meat protein
• Phytoplankton: a small sprinkle of powder phytoplankton supplement on your dog's food is ideal for meeting your dog’s magnesium needs

#6: Antioxidants

Astaxanthin (i.e., plant pigment found in krill oil) and Coenzyme Q10 are some of the only antioxidants that can reach the retina. They work by reducing the amount of damage that occurs to the cells of the eyes and preventing ophthalmological disorders. Enhance your dog's antioxidant intake by including astaxanthin and CoQ10-rich foods, such as organ meat (liver and heart), fatty fish (salmon and sardines), vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, and spinach), fruit (strawberries), legumes (lentils and soybeans), and bilberry, or through supplementation. If you're considering supplements, as a rule of thumb, add 1 mg per pound every day to your dog's food.

A Parting Reminder

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the pressure within the eye increases. Forty percent of dogs affected with glaucoma end up blind in the affected eye within the first year, regardless of medical treatment or surgery.

• Antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamins E and C, and nutraceuticals can all be taken to reduce the amount of damage that occurs to the eye's cells.
• Reducing stressors in your pet's environment can help manage the oxidative damage throughout the body, including the eyes.
• Eliminating pressure on your dog's neck is also critical because we don't want to increase inter-cerebral or intraocular pressure through any type of tight collar or harness system.
• For aging pets and higher-risk breeds, ensure your veterinarian checks your dog's eye pressure during wellness exams.

Regardless of the type of glaucoma your dog has, early detection is the best way to prevent the progression of the condition and the resulting blindness that is most often associated with glaucoma. In addition, identifying those subtle pressure changes in the eye and addressing them medically early on is the best way to prevent further damage.

For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, make sure that you contact us or check out our blog! 

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert nutritionists are now offering online consultations to help more dog parents discover why, what, and how to feed their dogs the healthiest of foods! Speaking to a Volhard nutritionist will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind. If you're interested in contacting one of our Volhard nutritionists, don't hesitate to access our consultation page!

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